Which cities and states produce the best football talent? It’s an age-old debate, and Touchdown Wire asks you to help determine the answer.
We’ve imagined NFL rosters for the ages composed of the greatest players who grew up in the areas of the 32 current franchises. Our selection methodology is explained in detail in this article.
Touchdown Wire columnist Doug Farrar revealed his power rankings for our 32 Homegrown Legends rosters, providing the seedings for an epic virtual tournament.
Here’s where you come in. Cast your vote below in the championship round of our Homegrown Legends tournament, and check back on Friday, Oct. 9, at approximately noon ET for the final result.
Semifinals results:
AFC championship: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 2. Miami, 56-44%.
NFC championship: 1. Dallas def. 3. Los Angeles Rams, 60-40%.
Championship round
Dallas vs. Los Angeles Chargers
How Dallas can win: This matchup will be won in the trenches, where the Cowboys have a distinct advantage. The Chargers have standout tackles in Ron Mix and Gary Zimmerman, but the Cowboys defensive front of Mean Joe Greene, Bob Lilly, Harvey Martin and Von Miller can overwhelm just about any opponent. Chargers QB John Elway is one of the greatest passers in pro football history, but Dallas’ Patrick Mahomes might be the most talented player ever to play the position. In the backfield, whatever advantage Marcus Allen and Terrell Davis provide for the Chargers is negated by the Cowboys’ three-headed monster of Earl Campbell, Adrian Peterson and LaDainian Tomlinson. Los Angeles has a great X-factor in Tony Gonzalez, but Dallas safeties Jamal Adams and Yale Lary match up well on tight ends. Look for opportunistic CBs Everson Walls and Aqib Talib to lock down Chargers WRs Michael Thomas and JuJu Smith-Schuster and create takeaways. — K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
How Los Angeles can win: John Elway knows a thing or two about winning a championship, having two Super Bowl wins under his belt. Opposing defenses must pick their poison against the Chargers — stack the box to contain RBs Marcus Allen and Terrell Davis or focus on limiting Michael Thomas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tony Gonzalez in the passing game. QB John Elway is adept at reading defenses and exploiting their weaknesses. Patrick Mahomes headlines a Dallas offense that features the terrific backfield trio of Earl Campbell, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson. But we like our chances with playmakers Junior Seau, Anthony Barr, Ronnie Lott and John Lynch. — Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
[opinary poll=”which-team-wins-this-matchup_usatodayhss-A03nrV” customer=”usatoday”]
Semifinals results:
AFC championship: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 2. Miami, 56-44%.
NFC championship: 1. Dallas def. 3. Los Angeles Rams, 60-40%.
Third-round results:
AFC semifinals: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 12. Kansas City, 67-33%; 2. Miami def. 6. Pittsburgh, 52-48%.
NFC semifinals: 1. Dallas def. 5. Atlanta, 73-27%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 2. New Orleans, 53-47%.
Second-round results:
AFC: 8. Los Angeles Chargers def. 1. Houston, 67-33%; 12. Kansas City def. 13. Tennessee, 66-34%; 6. Pittsburgh def. 3. Cleveland, 61-39%; 2. Miami def. 10. Las Vegas, 74-26%.
NFC: 1. Dallas def. 8. Washington, 79-21%; 5. Atlanta def. 4. San Francisco, 52-48%; 3. Los Angeles Rams def. 6. Carolina, 73-27%; 2. New Orleans def. 10. Detroit, 67-33%.
First-round results:
AFC: 1. Houston def. 16. Denver, 62-38%; 8. LA Chargers def. 9. Buffalo 74-26%; 12. Kansas City def. 5. Jacksonville, 68-32%; 13. Tennessee def. 4. Cincinnati, 53-47%; 6. Pittsburgh def. 11. Baltimore, 83-17%; 3. Cleveland def. 14. Indianapolis, 70-30%; 10. Las Vegas def. 7. NY Jets, 62-38%; 2. Miami def. New England, 87-13%.
NFC: 1. Dallas def. 16. Minnesota, 76-24%; 8. Washington def. 9. NY Giants, 65-35%; 5. Atlanta def. 12. Tampa Bay, 58-42%; 4. San Francisco def. 13. Seattle, 67-33%; 6. Carolina def. 11. Arizona, 68-32%; 3. LA Rams def. 14. Green Bay, 64-36%; 10. Detroit def. 7. Philadelphia, 59-41%; 2. New Orleans def. 15. Chicago, 58-42%.
AFC rosters:
Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC
NFC rosters:
Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea
- Doug Farrar: Ranking the 32 Homegrown Legends rosters